The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Question about hood latch spring

On my '51 3100, the "return spring", for lack of a better description, is past it's prime. The spring is on the top (hood) section of the latch, and is responsible for the latch returning to it's original position (not the large spring that holds the tension on the latch once it is actually latched). I can't find a replacement from any of the 3 parts catalogues I have -(ClassicParts, LMC and Classic Industries). The old one spring is still there, and it doesn't seem to be broken from what I can see, but the two ends which hook around the rivets are stretched to the point that they won't pull the latch arm back into place. The closest I can come to even a partial pic in the FAM is Sect. 11, sheet 3.00, and the illustration only shows the 'tits' of the spring, which project out the front of the assembly. Can the 'hooks' that are stretched be heated or cold-bent to their original shape, or does anyone have a trick to getting this back to where it's supposed to be? The PO told me about this before I bought it, and I just have to remember to push the latch back in before shutting the hood, but I don't like the idea of slamming the latch down when I forget, which I've already done a couple of times. I don't really like the idea of buying a whole new latch just to get a tiny spring. What gets me is that I can't find a mention of this spring ANYWHERE in any manuals or parts catalogs. Thanks for any and all ideas on this! Lee

Buy a suitable replacement from the hardware store.

This spring looks to be a really odd, almost T shape. I really don't think any hardware store is going to carry this.

Hi Showme
I had to make a new spring from spring wire, I couldn't find it available anywhere. With some trial and error I made it work, it also solved the problem of the damage created on the latch piece. I had to weld the damaged piece in order to make things right. good luck with that

....spring?......

blanch53,
what is spring wire? What would be your source?

Looks like DADS50 has you fixed up for a little over 10 bucks for the pair.

Heyy!!! That's what I'm talkin' about, man!! Thanks very much, Dads50! I was beginning to wonder if it was ever made in the first place, since I couldn't track one down anywhere. They don't even mention it in the manuals, from what I can see. Thanks a lot, that's exactly what I'm looking for.

Hi Truckernix, I went to a local spring maker company and they had material (spring wire) which came as a straight material that you bend to the shape you want. But it looks like someone has found a part supplier for such and item, good one

The spring from Chevsoftheforties is a bit different from stock, but they work. The tag ends of the stock springs are almost touching.
Carl

Did the spring guy say how to heat treat the spring wire once you bend it where you want it?
Carl

yes that subject was discussed, however the Tech guy said for what I was doing I would probably be ok without the heat treatment. Its something that could be duplicated in the future if I found it didn't work.